> Can YOU do plumbing, flooring, framing, electrical, roofing, sheet metal, drywall, smelting, soldering, circuit boards, concrete. Can you read a blueprint, get it through code enforcement?
Thanks to my rich youth work environment, I can do many of those things. Not with confidence because that's just who I am, but:
✅ plumbing
✅ flooring -- not with super confidence but I could pick up a DIY book for the tips & tricks I can't remember
✅ framing -- I've helped frame walls yes
✅ electrical -- yeah but I'm not great at bending conduit. I let @SlicerDicer do that for me when I installed my EV charger. Everything was to code and it was a pretty large job, got it inspected, passed.
✅ roofing -- I absolutely would not want to but sure, it's just plywood, tar paper, shingles. Anyone should be able to figure it out. I have never touched metal roofs other than selling them @ Menards but I'm sure I could figure it out. They're just sheets you fit together and use sheet metal screws with the rubber O-rings. I would have to rent the cutters. Well, rent a lot of tools for most things but I get it.
❓️ sheet metal -- ok, this one I hated because making custom parts is actually quite hard -- you need to be good at some geometry/math and plan your cuts meticulously or you'll waste your sheets
✅ drywall -- yes I've cut drywall for customers @ Menards and measured/hung plenty of sheets for friends
❌️ smelting -- that would be awesome
❓️ soldering -- near zero experience with *electronics*, have soldered/sweat copper plumbing before. I have a really nice soldering iron + gear just in case I'm ever in a bind though. Rather be prepared than not. I could figure it out tho.
❌️ circuit boards -- no but it's a cool idea, @SlicerDicer has the skills and gear
❓️concrete -- I've sold it. Mixed it. Not an expert. Quickcrete? Sure.
❌️ blueprint -- no experience here really
I think more people should know how to do this stuff too... it's not *hard*, it's just that there isn't really a lot of opportunity/exposure for young people and they will probably never touch it at their jobs.
bonus:
✅ wiring big electrical motors for farmers (not exactly hard, mind you)
✅ getting shocked by testing/repairing electrical fencers. bastards hold a charge for a LONG time. I swear I flew 10 feet once...
